Essential in-vitro laboratory diagnostic services provision in accordance with the WHO standards in Guragae zone primary health care unit level, South Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION: Laboratory services are crucial parts of the health system having a great contribution to disease prevention and management. The importance of accurate and reliable laboratory test results is less recognized in developing countries like Ethiopia where most medical decisions are based on clinical judgment. It is time for countries like Ethiopia to not only increase health care coverage but also improve access to essential diagnostic tests. Hence, this proposed study aims to assess essential in-vitro laboratory service provision in accordance with the WHO standards in Guragae Zone primary health care unit level, South Ethiopia. METHODS: Health institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out. 30% randomly selected primary health care units were recruited. Each facility was visited with a WHO checklist by a trained data collector to assess the availability of essential diagnostics service provision. The proportion of available in-vitro diagnostics services was calculated. Results were presented as percentages in tables and figures. RESULT: Twenty-one primary health care facilities located in Guragae Zone were assessed between May and July 2019. All surveyed facilities had major gaps in essential test availability. Among essential diagnostic tests listed with WHO like C-reactive protein, lipid profile, Amylase and Lipase, TroponinT/I, hepatitis B e-antigen, IgM-specific antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and anti-HIV/p24 rapid test were not provided in any facilities. However, essential diagnostic services like urine dipstick testing, random blood sugar, smear microscopy, and few serological tests were provided at all primary health care units. All surveyed facilities had limited major laboratory equipment and consumables. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The present study shows limited access to essential laboratory tests at the primary health care level. Hence, the responsible body should invest to make essential tests accessible at the primary care unit level within the framework of universal health coverage in the study area. The fact that access to essential diagnostic tests is the first key step in improving quality of care; such study has its own efforts to enable the implementation of essential diagnostic lists, and improve access to diagnostics in the country.